Reel spindle



NOV. 13, 1951 MERWlN 2,575,062

REEL SPINDLE Filed June 5. 1947 a 4 ii a [k MWHHIIM IIHH l I INVENTOR v Q" l Q H.H.MRW/N A 7' TORNE V Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF IC E1 REEL SPINDLE Hairy- Hi Merwin,- Rutherford; N: .L, assignor to WesternsElectric fiompany; Incorporated; New

York N: Y acorporation. of; New York.

Ap ucauunuunaa 1947; Serial No. 752,204

IiClaiin. (Cl. 242-139 Thisinvention-relates to reel spindles enamel-e particularly. to. spindles. for supporting reelsof a given size in a mechanism designed for larger reels.

In the art of manufacturing electrical conductors and cables; takeup'mecha-nisms of? the'v a-rious machines are initially designed to receive takeup reels ofigiverr-dimensiona. particularly of given. widths. In cable stranders, that. isrmachines-for. forming cables from. pairs, orgroups of pairs, of insulated electrical conductors. the takeup mechanism usually employs truncated cone centers to removably receive takeup reels of a: given width. Heretoforesuch takeup: mechanisms-have been limited to the use ofioneisize of .takeup reel.

The-object ofthe present-invention isitoscondition such takeup mechanism to receive smaller reels by providing a reel spindle whichmay be readily mounted in the hub of a smaller reel and then mounted in a takeup mechanism initially designed for large reels.

Broadly, the invention comprises a reel spindle for use in a reel driving or takeup mechanism having a center to partially support and drive a reel of a given size, and a movable center to cause engagement of the centers with the hub of the reel to support the reel spindle. The spindle comprises a shaft receivable in the hub of a smaller reel and having a recess at one end thereof to receive the said drive center, a center member spaced from recesses to engage the adjacent hub of the smaller reel, and an element removably mounted on the other end of the shaft to engage the other hub of the smaller reel and also having a recess to be engaged by the movable center. In the takeup mechanism of machines such as cable stranders, the drive center is equipped with a drive pin receivable in an aperture of the larger reel to form a positive driving conection between the drive center and the reel. In the present embodiment of the invention a flange on the shaft is provided with an aperture to receive the drive pm of the drive center. A second similar flange on the shaft carries a drive pin receivable in the aperture of the smaller reel The removable element against displacement by spring pressed ball membersj .allowing axial movement of the element relative to the shaft between given limits for movement of the element into engagement with the adjacent hub of the reel by its connection with themovablecenter ofthe takeup mechanism.

Other'objects and advantages will be apparent fromthe following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which shows a"vertical'sectional'view of the reel spindle-supported in a takeup mechanism of a cable strander;

Referring now to the drawing, the single figure: discloses portions of a takeup mechanism of a cable'strander to illustratethe invention; This mechanism includes a truncated cone center III which is driven about its axis in the conventionalmanner; notshown. A drive'pin II, supported by a flange l2, driven with the center I0, is positioned to be received in the standard apertureiof the; reel which may be described as the large reel for which thetakeup mechanism was designed, thus forming a positive driving connection with the larger reel, not shown. A movable truncated cone center I4, supported by a threaded element I5 for movement axially toward or away from the center In, is spaced from the drive center a given distance when in its open position to receive the larger reel.

The reel spindle was designed to support smaller reels singly in the takeup mechanism. The reel spindle includes a shaft I8 receivable in the hubs I9 and 20 of the smaller reel 2|. A truncated cone center member 22 of the shaft I 8 is receivable in the hub I 9 while the truncated cone recess 23 in the adjacent end of the shaft I8 is formed to receive the drive center. ID of the takeup mechanism. A flange 24 integral with the shaft I8 has an aperture 25 to receive the drive pin I I while a similar flange 26, spaced from the flange 24, carries a drive pin 21 receivable in an aperture 28 of the adjacent head of the reel 2|.

A removable element 30 has a truncated cone center portion 3| receivable in the hub 20 and a truncated cone recess 32 in the outer end thereof to receive the movable center I4. The element 30 is held on the end of the shaft by ball members 33 mounted in the shaft I8 and urged outwardly by a spring 34. The ball members 33 are receivable in an annular groove 35 in the inner wall of the element 30, the groove being of a given width to allow axial movement of the element relative to the shaft between given limits.

When the reel spindle is to be put in use for the mounting of a smaller reel within the takeup mechanism, the empty reel 2| is conditioned for mounting in the takeup mechanism by positionreel 2| was positioned to receive the drive pin 21 when the reel spindle was mounted in the reel. and prior to the mounting of the element 30 on" the adjacent end of the shaft. :Theoperator may. continue the movement of the center I4 until the centers H] and M are disposed sufiiciently'within" their recesses 23 and 32 to support. the reel spindle together with the reel 2!.

The takeup mechanism may then be driven to rotate the reel spindle, through the connection of the drive pin H with the flange 24 and drive the reel 2| through its connection with the drive pin 21-, until the reel is filled. The filled reel may be removed from the takeup mechanism in the conventional manner, which is usually by the aid of a hoist supporting the reel until the movable center M is opened, that is, moved to the right a sufl'icient distance to free the reel, and in this instance the reel spindle, from the truncated cone centers of the takeup mechanism. The reel 2|v together with the reel spindle may then be removed from the takeup mechanism, after which the reel spindle may be readily removed from the full reel, first by removing the element 30 and then removing the shaft. The reelspindle may then be assembled in an empty reel. 1

. Although specific improvements of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are but illustrative and that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention as defined by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A reel spindle comprising a shaft to extend through the hubs of a reel and having an enlarged iend with; a truncated "cone recess therein to receive a truncated cone drive center of a supporting mechanism and an aperture spaced from "tlie recess to receive a drive pin of the supporting mechanism which is fixed for rotation with the drive center, a pin carried by the enlarged end ..of*the shaft to enter" an aperture of the reel to form positive connection between the shaft and "the reel, and an element removably mounted on theother end,of..the shaft, having a truncated cone'shaped' inner end to engage the adjacent hub of the reel and a truncated cone shaped recess in the outer end thereof to receive a movable truncated conecenter of .the supporting mecha- ,-,R F BEN E CIT D The-following references are of.recordv in the file... of. this patentg,

"UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 601,161 Pain' Mar. 22, 1898 1,515,382 Cheesman Nov. 11, 1924 1,641,389 Kroeger et a1. Sept. 6, 1927 1,692,458" Mann et al. j Nov. 20, 1928 1,724,031 "Mayer AugQ13, 1929 1,789,481 Stone Jan. '20, 1931' 1,884,183 Pearson -Oct."25, 1932 2,238,191 Shelton Apr. 15; 1941 

